Ping Pong – Westfield Shepherds Bush

Ping Pong’s new Innocent Indulgence Collection:

Shopping In West London has never been easier; Westfield in White City has virtually every shop from luxury designer to high street standards all under one roof. I went for a shopping trip with my friend, which as we all know, can be an exhausting activity. So, tired, hungry and footsore we headed to Ping Pong on Westfield’s Southern Terrace, which serves a selection of Dim Sum, fruity cocktails and Chinese teas.

I was impressed with its spacious, exotic well-designed interior. We were seated in the window area. You can choose to sit outside and watch the world go by, which would be lovely on a summer’s evening, but it was a bit chilly so we chose to stay in the warmth.

Ping Pong has recently launched their new Innocent Indulgence Collection, embracing healthy hedonism with some tasty and deliciously clean drinks and dishes. So along with their classic Dim Sum, fried, rice and griddled dishes, they are offering some super healthy salads and juices, plus of course for those with a more naughty side they offer a wide selection of cocktails.

Both my friend and I chose not to opt for being too healthy, by kicking off with a Cucumber Tonic – a lovely fresh combination of Plymouth Gin infused with cucumber and wasabi, which was an unusual take on a gin and tonic, with a bit of a bite.

We were recommended to choose 4 or 5 dishes each from the menu, which all come as soon as they are ready and you share in a sociable, tapas style way.

I always enjoy edamame beans, and these were served perfectly with a honey and garlic sauce, which was a good complimentary snack to go with our cocktails.

We choose a good selection of different dishes. We both, in particular, relished the delicious, Thai Style Wong Tong Soup, I had the chicken whereas my friend chose the vegetarian but they were both lightly spiced and equally tasty.

From the Innocent Indulgence Collection, we chose the vegetarian Purple Power Veggie Salad, which was filled with a good array of superfoods such as rice berry, smoked almond, roasted cashew nut, black eyed beans, radish, sugar snap, and rocket. Mixed with ginger and soy dressing. It was beautifully fresh and crunchy.

We also had the Crispy Fried Aubergine, with hoisin sauce. This was crisp and tasty, especially when dipped in the accompanying sauce.

I really enjoyed the Dim Sum, the Crab and Prawn Dumplings with mixed vegetables, chilli and garlic in a wheat pastry, were remarkably moist and light, without being in the slightest bit cloying.

The Prawn and Scallop Sticky Rice offered a combination of prawns, scallop, carrot, bamboo shoots, and glutinous rice served rather attractively in a lotus leaf.

We also had some spicy chicken dumplings, made with chicken, vegetables and chilli, in a translucent pastry. These were rather disappointingly lacking in spice.
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The Potato and Edamame Cakes provided some good crunchy carbs, and the Duck Spring Rolls were tender and crispy.

Finally, we had the Beef and Kimchi Gyoza with water chestnut, which were delicious.

All in all, we enjoyed quite a spread, which we accompanied with an excellent bottle of Errazuriz 1870 Penuelas Block. An aromatic, zesty, Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

Somehow we managed to find room for a desert, we had the Chocolate Fondant with vanilla ice cream, which had a perfect melt in the middle, soft and creamy centre.

I find eating and sharing small plates is a great way to eat out with a friend, it feels very easy and sociable, and Ping Pong’s menu offers an extensive choice, very reasonably priced, excellent food, a friendly, buzzy atmosphere with good service, thereby providing a perfect way to unwind and refuel, after shopping in Westfield. However there are 9 branches in different location across London to be enjoyed, so take your pick.

Looking for something different as a Christmas treat? There’s just one production left of The Wedding Reception on 16th December - by the producers of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

Will and Kate are expecting a small and intimate party to celebrate their wedding – but Kate’s Mum had other ideas! Cue uninvited guests, misbehaving family and secrets better left in the closet. In this 2-hour theatrical dining experience, the audience becomes guests at the couple’s surprise party. It’s totally immersive and highly improvised, with plenty of laughter, love and tears… and more than a few surprises. To top it all there’s a 3-course sit-down meal – and maybe even some dancing!

The Wedding Reception is an original piece devised, written and produced by Interactive Theatre International, the people behind the globetrotting hit, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience. It features four actors in multiple roles; the cast for Kingsway Hall showcases: